Umbrella rib and stretcher joint.



No. 710,427. Patentd het. 7, 1902. w.-w. cLlMENsoN & w. -D. www-2R.

UMBRELLA RIB. AND STRETCHER JDINT.

(Application me@ May 25, 1901.)

UNITED STATES ATENT FFIC.

XVILLIAM IV. CLIMENSON AND WILLIAM D. VVINGER, OF HONEYBROOK, PENNSYLVANIA.

UMBRELLA RIB AND SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 710,427, dated October 7, 1902.

Application filed May 25, 1901.

To cir/ZZ whom, it may concern.:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM W. CLIMEN- soN and WILLIAM D. WINGER, citizens of the United States, residing at Honeybrook, in the county of Chester and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Umbrella, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to umbrellas, and more particularly to that class wherein a number of different covers are to be interchangeably connected to a single frame and stick or permitting a worn cover to be readily replaced by a new one, and it has specific refence to the formation of the notch and runner and meansfor separably holding the rib and stretcher ends and lconstructing the latter to best serve their intended function in relation to the notch or runner.

The object of the invention is to provide a construction wherein the notch, the runner, the ribs, the spreaders, and the cover may be made and assembled at the factory and sold as a complete article of commerce and having suchY structure that they may be applied to the stick Without disassembling other than the upper portion of the notch to permit application of the locking-pin and which can readily be repaired after application to the stick to replace or readj ust a rib or spreader without disconnecting the entire series of such devices, to permit the use of ribs and spreaders as they are manufactured without further manipulation or preparation, and also to prevent loose movement of the connected runner and spreader ends in an irregular manner irrespective of the wear thereon and avoid twisting and straining of such devices.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of theseveral parts, which will be more fully hereinafterdescribed and claimed. 4

In the drawings, Figure lis a view, partially in elevation and partially in section, showing portions of an umbrella-stick in the form of a metallic tube and the several improved features as comprised in the notch, runner, and rib and stretcher ends. Fig. 2 is a View showing the parts of the notch detached and in perspective. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the runner with the bearing elements of the spreader-clamp separated and the clampvstruction of the end thereof to engage the Serial No. 61,905. (No model.)

ing-nut disengaged from the threads of the sleeve of the runner. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line 4: 4L, Fig. l, showing the improved means ot' holding the rib ends in the notch, the spreader ends attachedto the runner being similarly constructed. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of'a portion of either one of the ribs or spreaders, showing the connotch or the runner. Fig. G is a sectional view through a portion of the notch and stick, showing a modification.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several Views.

The numeral 5 designates the stick of an umbrella, which in the present instance is shown in the form of a metallic tube having its end adjacentto the notch closed by a solid tip or plug inserted therein and alsoadapted to be provided with a suitable handle, the improved construction being particularly designed for utility in a structure including a hollow or tubular steel stick, though equally well applicable to a solid stick, if desired.

The notch of the umbrella consists of a sleeve 7, having such internal diameter as to permit it to iit snugly on the stick 5, though adapted to be moved freely, and is exterior-ly screw-threaded almost throughout its entire length and has at one end an integral circular seat-collar 8, provided with a radial iiange 9 of arc shape in cross-section, whereby an annular groove is formed in the lower face of 4the collar, and intersecting this groove are radial slots 10. These slots 10 are continued through the lower portion of the sleeve 7, as at'lO, to permit the ribs as manufactured and obtained in the market to be applied to the notch Without requiring a particular preparation, which usually tends to weaken the same, and thereby produce a strong and durable structure.

Coperating with` the flange 9 and the collar carrying the latteris a loose ring ll, having an opening l2 therein with a diameter in excess of the maximum diameter of thesleeve 7, so as to have unretarded sliding motion over the latter when permitted to do so. The ring ll is of greater diametrical extent than the Harige 9 and is formed with an upper pe- ICC ripheral fiange 13 to form a seat to receive the said flange therein, as clearly shown, and thereby close the annular groove formed by the flange 9 and the radial slots 10. The ring 11, as shown by Figs. 1 and 2, is without radial slots; but the Wall of the opening 12 is formed with diametrically-opposed slots 14 and 15, the slot 15 being longer than the slot 14 and of a dovetail eontour,with the reduced portion innermost. The ring l1 is held adjacent to the collar 8 and with the flanges 9 and 13 in mutual contact or proximity, as may be required, by m eans of a conical clamping-nut 16, which gives a finished effect to the notch and engages with the threads of the sleeve 7 and is adapted to impinge against the ring 11, theinner upper portion of the nut being formed with an annular groove 17 to clear the fastening means for holding the sleeve 7 in place on the stick. In the modification shown by Fig. 6 a ring 11 is used,

having a depending peripheral flange 11b, which is formed with slots 11c to coincide or register with the slot-s 10 of the ange 9, the said flanged ring operating to hold the rib ends well down in the ilange 9, but at the same time allowing them to have the necessary movement in opening and closing the umbrella.

Formed diametrically ot' the sleeve at a point below the upper end ot' the latter and slightly below the operative position of the collar 8 is a perforation 18 to receive a locking-pin 19, which is passed through said sleeve and the stick and has one end 2O turned to form a head that normally lies close to the sleeve. The opposite end ot' the pin is slightly exposed, and the slot 14 of the ring 11 is adapted to clear the same in moving the ring to its place, and the slot 15 of said ring permitsthe headed end 20 of said piu to depend therethrough, and when said ring is properly positioned the walls of said slot 15 in view of their shape will prevent the headed end 2O from being turned up laterally in either direction, and thereby prevent accidental displacement of the pin from its locking position. The pin is prevented from falling into the stick in connecting the parts by the provision of the head, as set forth, and the annoyance usually experienced in applying completely straight pins by reason of the easy displacement of' the same and passage into the stick is entirely avoided.

The ribs 2l are not in any way prepared, but are used in the form they come into the market from the factory and have their inner ends flattened, as at 22, as usual, to enter or lie in the radial slots 10 to have free vertical hinge action in relation to the flange 9 during the opening and closing operations of the umbrella; but said rib ends are prevented from having lateral play or movement by segmental cross-pins 23, passed through and rigidly fixed in said'ends to lie in the annular groove of the ange 9. These rib ends are not in the least weakened, and the pins 23 are far enough back from the free ends 28 to prevent the latter from being broken or pulling off. When the rib ends are all assembled in the llange 9, with the cross-pins 23 resting in the annular groove of the latter, the said pins have the appearance of the ordinary form of Wire ring cut in sections or segments of equal length with the ends or terminals conterminously disposed, so that in event of wear either on the side walls of the slots 10 or on the opposite sides of the rib ends tted therein lateral movement of said engaged rib ends will be prevented by the contact of the ends of the pins 23 with each other and twisting or straining of the ribs is avoided, and which would ensue if there was nothing to prevent lateral play. This crosspin construction also provides a more extended lateral bearing for the rib ends in the flange 9, and thereby reinforces the hinge connection.

The cover is disposed upon the sleeve 7 and is held between the lower side of the ring 11 and the clamping-nut 16, and at times a suitable Washer or other analogous device may be interposed between said parts to take Wear from or prevent cutting through of the said cover. This is an obvious expedient and well understoodin the art.

The runner 24 employed is similar to the notch, with the exception that the sleeve 26 is longer and threaded, as at 27, at its upper portion to receive a clam ping-nut 28, and having an unthreaded lower portion of lesser diameter to coact With a catch on `the stick through the medium of the usual slot 29, extending longitudinally thereof. The upper end of the sleeve 26 is formed with an-integral radial flange similar to the flange 9, heretofore set forth and to which said like numeral refers, and also provided with radial slots 10, extending through adjacent portions of the sleeve, and an annular groove, with which a ring l1, like that heretofore set forth in every detail, cooperates, or said ring may be similar to that shown by Fig. 6, the parts of similar construction to those of the notch being obviously in reverse position in the runner. The flange 9 and ring 11 of the runner hold the inner ends of the spreaders 30, the said spreader ends being of precisely the same construction as the ribs and used Without preparation and as they are manufactured and provided4 with cross-pins of the same nature as in the rib ends heretofore set forth. This arrangement of the ribs and spreaders permits their ready application and removal, and by loosening either of the nuts 16 or 28 the ring 11 may be slipped longitudinally of its sleeve to clear the annularlygrooved flange 9 and permit the ribs or spreaders to be easily assembled Without fully removing either of the nuts from the screwthreaded portion of its sleeve or entirely disconnecting the other parts. After the ribs or IOO IIO

readily moved to a closing position in relation to the flange 9 and the nut quickly tightened thereagainst. At any time desired after the primary assemblage any-one of the ribs or spreaders can be detached without disturbing the others for the purpose of repair or replacement. The improved features set forth produce a superior umbrella structure, and while providing for convenience in assemblage or disconnection of the several parts at the same time strengthen the same and materially reduce the expense of manufacture.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. A device for application to an umbrellastick for holding the ends of the ribs or spreaders, comprising an exteriorly-threaded sleeve provided With perforations and having an integral ange so arranged as to form an annular groove, said iiange being provided with a series of radially-disposed rib-receivingr slots which are continued through the adjacent portions of the sleeve, ribs or spreaders having cross-pins near their inner ends and adapted to rest in said groove, said ribs or spreaders being so arranged and disposed as to pass into the radial slots of both the flange and the sleeve, a loose ring carried by the threaded sleeve and having an outer flange of a diameter greater than that of the sleeve-flan ge and adapted to it over the outer edge of the iiange to brace and support the same and to hold the ribs or spreaders in position, and a nut adapted to said threaded sleeve and serving to confine said loose ring in position, substantially as specified.

2. A device for application to an umbrellastick for holding the ends of ribs or spreaders, comprising an exteriorly-threaded perforated sleeve adapted to be moved into alinement With perfor-ations iu the stick, a lockingpin adapted to said perforations, thereby to confine the sleeve in position, a flange formed on said sleeve and provided with an annular groove, ribs or spreaders having fulcrum-pins adapted to said groove, a loose ring having an annular` flange of a diameter greater than that of the grooved iiange and adapted to tit over the latter, said loose ring being provided with grooves or slots for the reception of the opposite ends of the locking-pin, and means for confining said ring in position, substantially as specified.

3. A device for application to an umbrellastick for holding the ends of the ribs or spreaders, comprising au eXteriorly-threaded sleeve having perforations adapted to be moved into alinement With similar perforations in an umbrella-stick, a locking-pin adapted to said perforations and having an enlarged head portion, a grooved ange formed integral with said sleeve, there being slots formed in the flange and in the adjacent end of the sleeve, ribs or spreaders having fulcrum-pins adapted to said groove, the end portions of the ribs or spreaders on opposite sides of the fulcrum-pins being adapted for engagement respectively With the slotted portions of the flange and sleeve, a loose ring adapted to iit over the sleeve and having a fiange adapted to tit over the grooved ange, said loose ring having oppositely-disposed slots or recesses for the reception of the ends of the locking-pin and to permit the ready removal of said ring, and a locking-nut arranged on the threaded sleeve and serving to confine said loose ring in position.

In testimony that We claim the foregoing as our oWn We have hereto affixed our signatures in the presence of two Witnesses.

WILLIAM W. GLIMENSON. WILLIAM D. VINGER. Witnesses:

JAS. R. MANSHIP, CHAs. LUDWICK. 

